ЕTHNIC MENTALITY OF THE BRITISH ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD IN THE STUDY OF IDIOMS

Abstract

The present paper is a study of the English-speaking world evidenced by British English idioms. To this end, the core cultural concept of FAIR PLAY in British English, a worldwide understood concept originating in sport, is under analysis. This particular concept was selected because it embodies one of the specifically British values, according to which “everyone should have equal opportunity to better their circumstances regardless of their background, as well as have respect for order” [Oxford guide to British and American Culture]. It is argued that idioms, from the point of view of Cultural Linguistics, can contribute to the cultural conceptualization of a language worldview. For this purpose, 200 British English idioms were selected from Collins Cobuild Idioms Dictionary, 3rd edition. Semantic groups of idioms representing the concept of FAIR PLAY in British English were identified and described. In addition, conceptual metaphors exemplifying the above concept were deduced. Methods employed in this paper rest on the seminal Theory of Conceptual Metaphor and Metonymy put forth by Lakoff and Johnson (1980), as well as its modification suggested by Zykova (2014). According to this theoretical framework, one conceptual domain can be viewed in terms of another conceptual domain. In the case of the FAIR PLAY concept, it is embodied by the superordinate conceptual metaphor SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE A PLAY/GAME/COMPETITION, such as a calling card and SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE (UN-)FAIR PLAY, such as pull rank, and their derivative ones: SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE A GAME OF CARDS, SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE A BOXING MATCH, SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE A FOOTBALL MATCH, SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE A RACE, and SOCIAL RELATIONS ARE ANIMAL COMPETITION. The prospects for further research include surveys into other British core value and concepts, as represented in the English language idioms, and their subsequent comparative analysis with other English language varieties, such as Australian English, Canadian English, and New Zealand English.